AEP Signs PPA With Evergy for new 128 MW Wind Project in Kansas

AEP Renewables has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Evergy Inc. for the output of the new Flat Ridge 3 wind project.

American Electric Power’s subsidiary AEP Renewables has announced that it has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Evergy Inc. for the output of the new Flat Ridge 3 wind project.

AEP Renewables is developing Flat Ridge 3 near Kingman, Kansas. The project will include 62 wind turbines capable of producing 128 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable energy and is expected to be operational by the end of 2020.

“Our AEP Renewables business is focused on developing and operating renewable generation facilities to help meet the long-term, clean energy goals of utilities, electric cooperatives, municipalities, and other companies. Flat Ridge 3 will increase AEP Renewables’ contracted renewable generation portfolio to 1,430 MW, and when complete, will demonstrate a USD 2.03 billion cumulative investment in our contracted renewables business,” said Greg Hall, president, AEP Renewables.

The project will provide more than USD 20 million in economic development to the surrounding area, including payments to local government and landowners, and will support approximately 200 jobs during peak construction. 

AEP Renewables, with offices in Columbus, Ohio, and San Diego, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEP. It owns and operates 1.3 GW of large-scale wind, solar and energy storage in 11 U.S. states and has an active development pipeline across the US. 

In November 2019, AEP Energy Partners (AEPEP), another subsidiary of American Electric Power Company, had announced that it is seeking proposals for off-take from new solar and new or repowered wind facilities located in PJM. PJM is a regional transmission organisation (RTO) that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia. The company is seeking renewable energy purchase agreements of 10, 12 or 15 years for facilities that begin operation between 2020 and 2023.

In July 2019, we had reported that AEP Renewables had completed the purchase of 75 percent, or 227 MW, of the Santa Rita East wind project from Invenergy Renewables in San Angelo, Texas. Under the agreement, Invenergy will retain 25 percent ownership of the project.